The Maldives’ role in regional fisheries management is set to come into sharper focus as the country prepares to host the 30th session of the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission in Malé.
The meeting, scheduled to be held from 4 to 15 May, is expected to bring more than 200 delegates to the Maldives, including representatives from Indian Ocean coastal states, international organisations, fisheries experts and senior officials.
According to the Ministry of Fisheries, Agriculture and Ocean Resources, the session presents an important opportunity for the Maldives to strengthen its fisheries sector and expand its engagement in international fisheries policy. The Ministry said hosting the meeting reflects ongoing efforts to advance the sector both domestically and through regional cooperation.
This will be the first time an IOTC Commission meeting is held in the Maldives. The Ministry said the event highlights the country’s growing role in discussions on the management of tuna fisheries in the Indian Ocean, a sector of major economic and social importance to the Maldives.
Several committee meetings under the IOTC will also take place alongside the main session. These include the 23rd session of the Compliance Committee, the 23rd session of the Administration and Finance Committee, and the 10th session of the Technical Committee on Management Procedures.
The IOTC is a regional fisheries management organisation responsible for the conservation and sustainable use of tuna and tuna-like species in the Indian Ocean. Its decisions cover areas such as sustainable stock management, catch limits and scientific research.
For the Maldives, where tuna fisheries remain central to livelihoods, exports and food security, hosting the meeting places the country directly within a major regional policy forum. Decisions taken through the Commission influence how tuna stocks are managed across the Indian Ocean and how the long-term benefits of the sector are preserved.
